- A new documentary charting Man City’s fourth title in a row is out this week
- Pep Guardiola was regularly seen berating some of his stars in the dressing room
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Pep Guardiola has opened up on his fiery rants to players inside the dressing room at Manchester City.
Guardiola, 53, has enjoyed a stunning tenure with City since joining in 2016, winning the Premier League in six of his eight full seasons.
The Spaniard, who previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, also lifted the Champions League in 2023 and has won 18 honours in total.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Guardiola is set to take his time at the Etihad past a decade after agreeing to sign a new contract in a major boost to the club.
And, an insight into his character has been provided after the release of ‘Together: 4-In-A-Row’, City’s in-house documentary marking their fourth successive Premier League title last season.
In the 90-minute show, Guardiola is seen berating three of his key players, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Rodri, on occasions.
Pep Guardiola has opened up on his fiery rants to players inside the dressing room at Man City
In a new documentary charting City’s fourth successive Premier League title last season, Guardiola was regularly seen berating some of his key players after being left angered
Guardiola, who let rip at Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Rodri, said he ‘can’t control’ himself
And, speaking in the documentary, the Spaniard revealed why he occasionally lets rip at those inside the dressing room.
‘I’m not proud right after the game when I’m angry for my emotions and I do it to the players,’ he explained.
‘I’m a human being and make mistakes and I don’t like it. I don’t like it. In that moment, I can’t control myself.’
During the documentary – which charts a tumultuous campaign that only saw City get over the line on the final day – Guardiola lost his temper at Haaland when the Norwegian missed some golden chances in the Manchester derby during the run-in in March.
It seemed to work, with the striker netting in the second half as City produced a stirring and crucial comeback to win the game 3-1.
He also let loose at Rodri when he was sent off against Nottingham Forest in September 2023, with Guardiola asking the midfielder to explain his moment of madness after he put his hands around the throat of Morgan Gibbs-White.
Rodri subsequently apologised to his team-mates.
However, Guardiola’s hairdryer treatment was most famously on display towards Foden after City dropped points at home to Crystal Palace in December 2023 when they conceded two late goals.
Guardiola admitted that he wasn’t proud of his actions but insisted he was only a ‘human being’
Foden looked forlorn when he was lambasted by Guardiola after a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace
City had led 2-0 but Jean-Philippe Mateta pulled a late goal back before Foden felled him in the penalty area in stoppage time – and Michael Olise duly converted the equaliser.
Guardiola was irate as he fumed: ‘Phil, in the f***ing 18-yard box, you don’t touch the opponent. It’s unacceptable, Phil Foden, unacceptable!’
He then shouted at the whole team: ‘You are not boys, you are not teenagers. Did I say something when we drop points against Tottenham and Liverpool? Did I say something? Tell me. I blame you? I say something? F****** hell, f****** hell.’
‘Here (pointing at his head), use it. Here, you have to use it! F***ing hell. F***ing hell,’ Guardiola added as he stalked around the room.